Foil insulation fitted in more than 50,000 households under the botched rebate scheme will also be either ripped out or made safe by installing safety switches, while former senior public servant Allan Hawke will undertake an independent review of the scheme, due by the end of March.

Deputy climate change and energy efficiency minister Greg Combet announced the long list of changes yesterday, including an aggressive crackdown on fraud.

''Let me assure all those who may have participated in non-compliant or fraudulent behaviour in connection with the home insulation program, that we will track you down,'' Mr Combet said.

But Opposition environment spokesman Greg Hunt claims estimates by National Electrical and Communications Association shows costs could be as high as $450 million.

''That's basically $200 million for the safety inspections, and $250 million to fix the problem. You're looking at around $1000 a home,'' he said.

For more on this story, see the print edition of today's Canberra Times.